BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
When the Solomon Islands became independent of the British Protectorate in July 1978, Robert Salau was between seven and eight years old.
54-year-old Salau, who was born in Dovele village in North Valle Lavella, recounted his experiences during the historic moments before the nation’s initial independence.
“It’s among the most significant occasions in our nation’s history. Mr. Salau says, “At that time, I was in Batuna Marovo Lagoon, a Mission place owned by SDA.”
Two ships were acquired in the years preceding 1978: the Campus Rose in 1974 and the M.V. Independence in subsequent years.
“The M.V. Independence was an incredibly luxurious vessel. It is a blessing for many of us to go aboard the M.V. Independence. It arrived in 1978, just as the nation was getting ready to gain independence. Thus, the boat was named Independence when bought it in 1976. Before July 1978, M.V. Independence reached the Solomon Islands in 1977, he stated.
“Thus, we eagerly await that July 1978 day. Our elders instructed us to tune in to the Honiara broadcast to hear the gun salute. There were the Australian, British, American, and other Navies. As a result, everyone had some emotion as the British flag was down because the British were leaving the Solomon Islands to allow it to become an independent nation, according to Salau.
The 54-year-old claims that not every one of the nations supports the steps the Solomon Islands took to become an independent nation.
“Some of our districts do not agree for the country to gain its independence. And for us in the Western province, our leaders want us to go into state government. That’s why in 1978, the western province boycotted the Independence. We did not part of the independence at that time, independence only happened for the Eastern part of the country. Because the West wants to separate. Those are some of the historical things that happened at that time.
Due to the concept of state governance, the Late Sir Hon. Peter Kenilorea visited the Western Province in 1979 and held meetings with every resident in Gizo and Vella la Vella. After that, all of the Westerners united and decided to form the Solomon Islands as a single nation.
“Years later, our grandfather, the late Zaza Lore, who was in favour of the western province’s independence and union with the Solomon Islands, called a meeting. Clezy Rore, the present MP, was his son.
“Umi Nao” was the next ship the Solomon Islands purchased.
“It has to do with our freedom. In our late grandfather’s words, “Umi Nao” means to unite after independence. to unite as one. That’s what the boast means. Our grandfather from North Vella La Vella used to say, “Iumi Nao.”
“I was therefore lucky to witness those developments as a child. Britain gave us money, specifically for the government to run its operations, so we did well for the first ten years. Thus, at that moment, it’s kind of a unique feeling. Beautiful Honiara is a town.
However, according to Mr. Salau, the Solomon Islands began to see and experience some economic issues in the 1990s after a change of governments, and later in 2000, the nation even began to face more significant obstacles.
“Up until this point, when both our government and we, the people, are still struggling, the government started to revive our economy. That, I believe, is what I like to share, and I would want to wish everyone a happy 46th birthday of independence.
“I’m looking forward to it; maybe our government is closing every loophole we frequently hear about, which is something we want them to do. Even though we have a powerful government in place for the past four years, they have never bothered to identify the numerous leakages in our primary revenue-generating activities. But for the time being, the current administration is making every effort to reach out to the general public,’’ he said.
On Monday, July 8, this year, the Solomon Islands celebrate their 46th birthday. The 54-year-old wished all of the islanders a happy Independence Day.
